Western NC Farm Succession School

Attend the Western NC  Farm Succession School and learn how to secure your farm’s future and leave a legacy for future generations. Topics will include Family Communication, Retirement, Long-Term Care Planning, and Estate Planning. The program will be held  March 27 at the  WNC Regional Livestock Center located at 474 Stock Dr, Canton, NC 28716 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Donated Food Items, Still Needed!!

Due to the limited capacity of MANNA's Snack Bag program at this time, we are partnering with Cherokee Clay Food Alliance and the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce to continue to serve 128 food-insecure students with a backpack bag of food for each weekend. This support will continue through the school year. Please help us serve this need by donating from the list above.  Marlana Baker at  the NC Cooperative Extension office 828-837-2210.

Thank You for Supporting

4-H This Fall!

Thank you for supporting 4-H through our first ever sock fundraiser! We were able to sell 48 pairs of socks through our Bloom for Good Sock Fundraiser which will give us $240.

New Terms, Plain English

Meta is now updating its Terms of Service, Community Standards and Commercial Use policies. A Terms of Service is a legal document. This post is not legal advice. The pending update is an opportunity to review the components of the Facebook service, and to summarize the offering in good faith and in plain English.

Spring 2025 (January-June) Pesticide Safety Schools

The spring 2025 Pesticide Safety Schools are now available to those seeking initial licensing in one or more pesticide subcategories. Our spring 2025 Pesticide Safety Schools are in-person. Exams are administered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS. Please sue link below to register and see class dates and times.

Community Help Desk Underway at

The Penland Center

The Community Help Desk is a series of drop in events scheduled at different dates, times and locations throughout Cherokee County. One-on-one appointments for detailed evaluation of technology issues (computers, phones, and tablets) can be scheduled at the events.

Cherokee On the Fly

4-H Club is Back,

Join Now!

The Cherokee On The Fly 4-H Club members learn to tie flies, learn how to cast a fly rod so no previous experience is necessary. The club is free to join. Members will also be learning about the environment and different insects and creatures that they are tying fly’s to mimic.

Your Mind: Use It or Lose It

There may be a correlation between a lack of active engagement and the eventual onset of dementia among seniors. A meta-analysis of 21 distinct research studies revealed a significant association between self reported instances of loneliness and a formal diagnosis of cognitive impairment.

Donation Station Impacts Local Food Pantries in 2024

2024 was a successful year for the Donation Station Program at the Murphy Farmer's Market! Cherokee County Extension staff and volunteers worked hard throughout the season to produce donations.  Take a look at the impact report to see the actual amount of food docnated!

Gardening Basics Offered By Extension Master Gardeners

Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Cherokee County will be offering free gardening classes each month from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.   Classes will be held at Konehete Park located at 699B Connahetta Street in Murphy, NC. See our website for a FULL list of classes!

Join Our New 4-H

Teen Club!!!

Participate in Community Assessment

The New Year is almost upon us, and I hope that you and your family will enjoy the best of times during this festive season.

Here is an opportunity for you to help our team at the N.C. Cooperative Extension look ahead to program development for Cherokee County in the future.

If you would like to see exactly how valuable your two cents can be, even in this day and age, please follow the link below.

Versatile Pantry

The Versatile Pantry curriculum teaches participants to identify the benefits of stocking a few staples, find strategies for creating a stocked pantry, and discusses a variety of meals that can be prepared from a set of staple ingredients.

Recent Developments Regarding Passwords

There has been new attention in the technology space directed to passwords, and to password management. A major provider of hardware and operating systems has now furnished a utility to manage passwords bundled with its latest update. 

Beginner Sewing Series

Learn the Basics of Sewing! No Machine Required! 

All 3 classes are included in your ticket fee.

Sewing machines are provided.

Build your confidence and learn basic sewing skills!

For adults 18 and over.

Enroll or Re-Enroll in

4-H for 2025!

North Carolina 4-H utilizes an enrollment system for all new and existing 4-H members and volunteers. The online enrollment system is called 4-HOnline.

If you created a new family profile in the 4-HOnline system during the 2024 program year – or – if you re-enrolled from a previous year – it is now time to update that record for the new 2025 – 2026 programmatic year.

January Job Search Workshops

If 2025 is going to be the year for your big career breakthrough, then get your profile set up and gain hands-on experience searching for job listings at one of our workshops this month.

Resources for Homeowners, Landowners, and Gardeners on Soil Sampling

Soil Sampling is an important tool for homeowners and gardeners. Farmers have been relying on this information for many years to be successful in growing crops, pasture, and tree farms.

4-H Annual Plant Sale to Begin in February

Cherokee County 4-H is once again getting geared up to conduct its annual plant and fruit tree sale. All proceeds will go to Cherokee County 4-H. As usual, the plants and trees will be of high quality and reasonably priced. The plant and tree sale starts on February 1 and ends the middle of March. Plants will be available for pick up in April.

New Partnership Between NC Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and NC 211

Cherokee County residents will now be able to access community resources that support internet affordability, access to computers and digital devices, digital skills and literacy, tech support and free Wi-Fi with one call.

Agroforestry Classes Available Online

Work online at your own pace to attain a basic knowledge of common agroforestry practices. These courses are available on-demand to provide you with convenient and thorough agroforestry training. Developed by experienced agroforesters, these courses help you avoid confusion and misinformation as you build your expertise in agroforestry.

Assistance Can Be Requested On-line!

If you are a citizen of Cherokee County and have questions about farming, gardening and other type information, assistance can be requested online.  You can even include pictures along with your question or concern to help us better assist you.